Jews in Portugal Will Not Be Affected by Salazar’s Death, Says Samuel Haber

July 29, 1970

NEW YORK (Jul. 28)

Portugal’s 600 Jews will not be affected politically by the death yesterday of former Premier Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, according to Samuel L. Haber, executive vice chairman of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Dr. Salazar, who was Premier of Portugal from 1932 to 1968, organized a Nazi-like youth corps in the late 1930s, traded with the Axis powers as well as with the Allies and was a supporter of Generalissimo Francisco Franco of adjoining Spain. Mr. Haber, questioned by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, declared that there were “no problems” for Jews in Portugal “at any time during the whole Salazar period.” He said there has been “absolutely nothing” to indicate a change in those conditions under Premier Marcello Caetano, who was made head of state less than two years ago when Dr. Salazar went into a coma.